Winter care for garden furniture

Once colder weather arrives and the nights draw in, you'll want to retreat indoors and cosy up to a roaring fire rather than braving the elements outdoors. But before closing the back door behind you, take some time to tuck your garden furniture up for winter in Basingstoke.

Plastic and canvas fade and discolour left outdoors, so bring chairs, parasols and cushions in to a dry shed or garage. Folding canvas chairs, available in our garden centre, are ideal for easy storage.

Wood can be left outdoors but a quick once-over with teak oil keeps it supple (only apply when the wood is dry). Follow up by soaking each leg in pots of wood preservative overnight.

Metal furniture is treated with anti-rust agent and coated against the damp, but if the surface has been damaged touch it up straight away using matching car or metal paint.

Covers are available in our garden centre so you can leave garden furniture outside yet safely out of the weather. Made from weather-proof fabric, they're fitted in minutes – though make sure your furniture is dry before putting them on.

Please ask the staff in our Basingstoke garden centre for more information and advice about how to care for your garden furniture over winter.